Nothing screams summer like a quaint outdoor picnic.
Take your beloved on an outdoor “date” for an outdoor experience that probably won’t cost you a lot of money.
Outdoor destinations-inspired abound in western Pennsylvania, and those for an adventurous date are sure to find the best place to picnic.
So pack a picnic, hop in the car, and head to one of those Pittsburgh-area spots for a date filled with a dose of nature.
An Introduction to Picnics
The great thing about a picnic is that the menu can be custom designed for each person.
Sarah Zimmerman Tuthill, a food and lifestyle expert based in Aspinwall, owns EZPZ Gatherings, which specialises in custom-made forums and collectible boxes.
Zimmerman said finding a picnic spot is part of the fun.
“There’s something romantic about new food and air, but for a date-worthy picnic, there are a few things you can do to make it feel special,” Zimmerman said.
Picnic essentials come with a picnic basket or cooler, serving utensils, blanket, cushions, cloth towels, trash bag, paper towels, insect repellent/sunscreen, and a bouquet of new flowers.
Suggested food options include snacks like cheese and bloodless cuts: small bites and foods that can withstand warmer temperatures, such as fruit, crackers, chips, biscuits, and hummus.
“Pre-cut and wrap several of your favorite cheeses—salami or prosciutto, nuts and olives—and you’ve got an undeniable yet sublime picnic,” Zimmerman said.
Don’t take picnic pictures to commemorate the date and use your mobile phone to pay attention to the music.
Allegheny Observatory,
Riverview Park
Be dazzled on the grounds of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Physics and Astronomy’s Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park.
The spacious grounds will offer trees for shade, open spaces for picnics, and an up-close view of the building built between 1900 and 1912.
The three domes house two separate refractors and a telescope.
The neoclassical observatory is indexed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reservations are required for free tours of the public observatory, offered no later than Thursdays and Fridays in August, and can be done by calling 412-321-2400.
The observatory is at 159 Riverview Ave. in Perry North.
Loyalhanna Creek
Loyalhanna Creek is a 50-mile-long tributary of the Kiskiminetas River that stretches from Ligonier to Saltsburg in Westmoreland County.
The creek easily supplies for approximately 10 miles in the Laurel Highlands, from Ligonier to Latrobe.
Popular for trout fishing, kayaking, and swimming, the cove offers giant rocks for more adventurous hikers. Bald eagle sightings are common.
Do not wear water shoes and proper shoes for this picnic as the rocks at the back of the creek are known to be slippery.
Public water trail sites can be discovered online at lealtadhannawatershed. org.
Bushy Run Battlefield
Add a look at American history to your picnic lunch at Bushy Run Battlefield, a historic dedicated solely to the Pontiac War, one of the most significant Native American conflicts in American history.
The battlefield spans more than two hundred acres in Westmoreland County. Self-guided trails, tours, and interpretive exhibits are available.
Sue Sherman of Greensburg recently visited the historic battlefield and amazed through the expansive grounds.
“I love that it’s a big, open area and you can find a lot of places to go, sit and explore,” Sherman said. “There’s no violence here and it’s quiet, and it’s the best thing for a picnic. “
Sherman visited the Battle of Bushy Run monument placed on the spot where the first day of the war began on August 5, 1763.
The monument consists of 3 bronze statues depicting the American, British, and Native American forces who fought.
“The fact that it’s been remodeled into this beautiful monument is inspiring and I love all the trees and the walkability factor,” Sherman said.
Many walking trails include the Iroquois, Flour Sack, and Edge Hill trails.
The park is open from 8:00 a. m. until dusk.
Bushy Run Battlefield is at 1253 Bushy Run Road in Jeannette.
Hartwood Acres Park
More than six hundred acres await you at Hartwood Acres in Indiana and Hampton Townships.
Part of Allegheny County Parks, Hartwood Acres includes a historic mansion, dog park, meadow, grove, and trails for hiking, walking, horseback riding, and more.
Explore the Carol R. Brown Sculpture Garden and its 14 large-scale sculptures.
The park is home to the 1929 Tudor Country Estate designed for John and Mary Flinn Lawrence.
Mary Flinn Lawrence sold 400 acres to the Allegheny Parks Commission in 1969. After his death in 1974, the new park was opened to the public in 1976.
Book a guided tour of the mansion ($12 for adults) by calling 412-767-9200.
Hartwood Acres Mansion is located on two hundred Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township.
Keystone State Park
Head to Derry and explore over 1000 acres of Keystone State Park and its attraction, the 78-acre Lake Keystone.
Several spaces in the park will offer picnic tables, parking and restrooms.
Two pavilions feature charcoal grills and electrical outlets, and walk-in pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The public beach is a picnic option when it’s hot.
Keystone State Park is at 1150 Keystone Park Road in Derry.
Northmoreland Park
Located in rural Allegheny Township in Westmoreland County, Northmoreland Park spans more than 500 acres and is the county park.
The jewel of the park is Northmoreland Lake, teeming with warm-water fish and trout.
The 17-acre lake offers plenty of picnic spots and recreational kayaking and canoeing are allowed starting in May and October.
A 1. 1-mile paved road surrounds the lake and offers wonderful views of the lake.
Northmoreland Park, open from nine a. m. until dusk, is located at 280 Markle Road in Apollo.
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